12 Hard Rock Band Members Who Switched Instruments

12. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society

Many people probably know Zakk Wylde for his time playing for the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne. After losing touch with guitarist Jake E. Lee, Osbourne found Wylde while searching through the New Jersey scene and used him to plot his comeback on albums like No More Tears.

However, as the years dragged on, Wylde's star power and endless charisma started to become too big to be just a supporter for Ozzy. While originally forming the bluesier outfit Pride and Glory, things fully settled into place once Wylde formed Black Label Society. This marked the very first time Wylde stepped up to the mic rather than playing off a strong vocal presence...and he didn't miss a beat.

From the infectious riffs he could still deliver to the lion's roar of a voice hanging in the back of his throat, Wylde struck out as a powerful presence in his own right. Since then, Wylde has been to flex his singing chops consistently in BLS, while also finding the time to reunite with his adopted metal father on occasion. It would have been great if Wylde had soldiered on with Ozzy, but it could have come at the cost of one of the most beefy metal bands working today.